NEW YORK (CNN) - Caroline Kennedy has called New York Gov. David Paterson to ask about the Senate seat to be vacated by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton if she is confirmed as secretary of state in the new Barack Obama administration, Democratic sources tell CNN.

One Democratic source close to the Kennedy family confirmed that Kennedy has had conversations with Paterson and "is interested to say the least" about discussing the Senate vacancy. This source says Kennedy has asked a tight circle of other family friends and political advisers for advice.

A second source, who has knowledge of Kennedy's conversation with Paterson, tells CNN that Kennedy reached out to inquire about the responsibilities and impact such a move would have if she were selected by the governor to fill the position.

In an interview Friday with CNN affiliate NY1 News, Paterson added his own confirmation, saying, "I took a call from her Wednesday night but, I'm not going to talk about the conversation, that just adds more speculation and I don't think it's particularly relevant."

Asked if Kennedy expressed interest in the seat, Paterson replied, "We talked about a number of things, the seat did come up in the conversation."

Paterson added that he was not going to discuss anyone specifically that he might consider to fill the seat if Clinton vacates it to become secretary of state.

"I'm not talking about lists, individuals or anything like that. That just, in my opinion, obfuscates the process," Paterson said.

soundoff(124 Responses)

I wish (like the overwhelming majority of Europeans) that Obama had chosen somebody else for Foreighn Secretary. I don"t trust Hillary for her policy towards the Balkans. George P. Georgiades (Greece)

December 5, 2008 10:48 pm at 10:48 pm |

Godluvr

Gov. Paterson,

Please strongly consider Caroline Kennedy for this position! She would make an excellent Senator, and would be a great replacement for Sen. Clinton. Thank you in advance.

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To Matt:
So sorry you got misdirected, and ended up on the wrong blog!
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December 5, 2008 10:48 pm at 10:48 pm |

Jethro in Kentucky

I think we should dig up Richard Nixon for MATT.He would have loved him.

December 5, 2008 10:49 pm at 10:49 pm |

Niun

Im in NY and if i have to vote i will vote against her.

December 5, 2008 10:52 pm at 10:52 pm |

Matt

Supporting this is a setback. It would be mindless support for a name with no experience and puts us Dems on the level of the Reps who toe the party line no matter how numb-nutted it is.

December 5, 2008 10:55 pm at 10:55 pm |

Mikey

And she has done what........ she should earn it, not deserve it, democrats are insane

December 5, 2008 11:02 pm at 11:02 pm |

Ed, Santa Fe, NM

She'd be great.... and a real step up from that Shrillary hag.

December 5, 2008 11:03 pm at 11:03 pm |

Ross, Chautauqua, NY

Caroline Kennedy would be an outstanding choice for New York and the nation!

December 5, 2008 11:05 pm at 11:05 pm |

Gin

Gosh.....how much do Caroline's clothes cost? Bet they cost more than I made last month.

December 5, 2008 11:06 pm at 11:06 pm |

Wendy NC

With the exception of 1960-1963, there has been a Kennedy in the Senate since the '50's. Caroline represents the very best of the family, the best of both her mother and her father. She is brilliant, well-educated, an attorney and has served in many positions while remaining quietly behind the scenes. I would be absolutely thrilled to see this wonderful woman become the US Senator from NY. She will do great work and do it without fanfare. Please Gov. Paterson, choose her!

December 5, 2008 11:08 pm at 11:08 pm |

Karen from PA

With all due respect to Caroline Kennedy, I would hope that Hillary's replacement would be a progressive Democrat with political experience. How about Andrew Cuomo, for starters? Being born a Kennedy doesn't automatically qualify you to serve in the Senate as your first public job, for Pete's sake. All the other Kennedys in politics have at least learned the political ropes by working their ways up from lower office. Get real, people!

December 5, 2008 11:10 pm at 11:10 pm |

David

Go for it Caroline!!!

December 5, 2008 11:11 pm at 11:11 pm |

John

or how about Brad Pitt.....both have the same level of experience.

December 5, 2008 11:11 pm at 11:11 pm |

Ravi

YES! Go for it Caroline... It will be great to have another excellent senator to take Hillary's place. Please offer her the job, Gov. Paterson.

December 5, 2008 11:19 pm at 11:19 pm |

Anna, ATL

Good for Caroline.

Hey CNN, will you kindly educate your primetime anchor, Campbell Brown, on the definition of Sexism?

I am appalled at her recent commentary.

An young Obama aide posing for a camera with a Hillary Clinton cutout with his hand over her breast is boorish, immature and lewd but it is not a discriminatory act or expression used to discredit or disqualify a person from anything on the basis of their gender.

Men wearing "Iron My Shirt" T-shirts to Democratic primary debates most certainly was a very degrading example of sexism.

Where was Campbell Brown's protest then????

December 5, 2008 11:19 pm at 11:19 pm |

Matt, Chico, CA

But who will she get drunk and kill when she crashes her car into the lake?

December 5, 2008 11:21 pm at 11:21 pm |

Obama Family, 1600 Pennsylvannia Ave

I'd move back to NY only to vote for Caroline! A very intelligent woman while she hasn't been in the ever political eye, she will do a great job!

December 5, 2008 11:23 pm at 11:23 pm |

Greg Hodges

In a sea of bottom feeders along comes a real life princess. Go for it Caroline; you have a real chance to make a difference; just like your father and uncles have. I; like millions of others around the world, would be thrilled to see you pick up the torch held so high by Kennedy men and women for so long.

December 5, 2008 11:23 pm at 11:23 pm |

bluedog

Is she qualified for the Senate? We have learned the hard way with people getting jobs because of name recognition with Bush.

December 5, 2008 11:25 pm at 11:25 pm |

Proud Democrat

I like the Kennedy's as well as anyone else......but come on.....SERIOUSLY?

There are people more deserving and better prepared for this job....just as New Yorkers.

December 5, 2008 11:26 pm at 11:26 pm |

Bev

Yes! I was hoping Caroline would be considered to replace Hillary Clinton. She would be a terrific choice!

December 5, 2008 11:29 pm at 11:29 pm |

Richard A. Spomer

God Bless her and the United States of America!!!

December 5, 2008 11:29 pm at 11:29 pm |

unbeliveable

YES SHE CAN!!!!

December 5, 2008 11:31 pm at 11:31 pm |

Shirley

To NO KENNEDY and other doubters. I was very surprised to read her resume.
December 5th, 2008 1:24 pm ET
Caroline Kennedy's resume (from wikipedia):
B.A. from Harvard University
J.D. from Columbia Law School
Wrote two books with Ellen Alderman:
* In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights In Action (1990)
* The Right to Privacy (1995)
She has also edited several books and written one on the Kennedy family.
She is currently President of the Kennedy Library Foundation, a director of both the Commission on Presidential Debates and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and Honorary Chairman of the American Ballet Theatre. She is also an adviser to the Harvard Institute of Politics, a living memorial to her father.